Basilashvili defeats Bautista Agut to lift Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2021 trophy

Doha-The Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2021 came to an exciting end on Saturday, with Georgia's Nikoloz Basilashvili defeating 2019 champion Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain 7-6(5), 6-2 in the final to lift the golden falcon trophy at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha. HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, accompanied by Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the tournament Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi and director of the tournament Karim Al Alami, crowned the Georgian player with the championship cup and the Spanish player with the second place cup. The champion also walked away with $69,520 winner's prize money besides claiming the tournament's 250 ATP ranking points. Basilashvili's victory in Doha, his fourth ATP Tour title, capped a stunning week for the world No.42 Georgian, who entered the tournament with just two wins from his past 16 matches. So convincing was the 29-year-old performance in the final that he did not face a breakpoint, as he powered through heavy winds to win in 88 minutes. Basilashvili, who stopped 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer in the quarters on Thursday, had secured his final ticket on the back of a dominant 7-6 (3), 6-1 win over USA's Taylor Fritz, who defeated fourth-seeded Denis Shapovalov in the quarter-final. "I'm pleased to win against a tough opponent and a former champion. It has been a great week for me, and it is amazing winning here in Doha. I've enjoyed my stay in this beautiful city, and I'll like to thank the organisers for this wonderful tournament. I am leaving Doha with fond memories," Basilashvili said. The first set was dominated by serve as the players seem to be needing time to adjust to the windy condition. The opening six points of the tie-break were, however, won by the returning player. Basilashvili was rewarded for taking risks on his backhand side, as he punished short balls for striking winners and forcing his opponent into errors. Basilashvili earned the first two breakpoints of the match at 3-2 in the second set, and he took his chance to close in on victory. The four-time ATP Tour titlist ripped two cross-court backhand winners to take a 4-2 lead and, two games later, he earned a second break to capture the title. With Saturday's win, Basilashvili narrowed the head-to-head advantage against his 32-year-old opponent to 2-3. "We're delighted that the Qatar ExxonMobil Open returned to Doha this year given the circumstances the world is facing with the coronavirus pandemic," said Dominic Genetti, President and General Manager for ExxonMobil Qatar. "It was a fantastic tournament - congratulations to Nikoloz Basilashvili on his remarkable win." "It is the strong and long-term partnership we share with the Qatar Tennis Federation that has allowed us to create a world-class tournament in Qatar for the world to enjoy. We're very proud of how it has evolved over the years through our close collaboration and look forward to what the future holds for us," he added. The Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2021 was the 29th edition of the annual tournament, which has always been held at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha. Tournament Director Karim Alami said, "Tonight was a befitting end to a tournament that took place against all the odds. We are very happy with its success, and we would like to thank everyone – players, staff, officials and fans – for adhering to all the necessary health and safety regulations. Congratulations to Nikoloz Basilashvili on his deserving victory. We look forward to welcoming everyone again next year."  

HH the Amir attends final of Qatar ExxonMobil Open

Doha-(QNA) - HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani attended Saturday the final of the 29th Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2021 held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. HH the Amir watched the final match between Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia and Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain, which ended with a 7-6, 6-2 win for the Georgian. HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani crowned the Georgian player with the championship cup and the Spanish player with the secondplace cup. A number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs, ministers and tennis fans attended the final match amid precautionary measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). (QNA)  

HH the Amir participates in 137th session of International Olympic Committee

Doha- (QNA) - HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani took part in the virtual meeting of the 137th Session of International Olympic Committee (IOC), which was chaired by HE President of the International Olympic Committee Dr. Thomas Bach and attended by members of the Executive Office, members of the IOC, and presidents of international federations and national Olympic committees. Discussions during the meeting covered issues related to promoting and supporting the Olympic movement, as well as the topics listed on the agenda. HE Dr. Thomas Bach was reelected as IOC President for a second term during the meeting. HE President of Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani attended the meeting. (QNA)  

Federer returns to action with win in Doha

Doha-Tennis icon and Grand Slam star Roger Federer of Switzerland on Wednesday battled through a gritty performance against Daniel Evans of Great Britain to make a winning return after a layoff that stretched to 405 days. Federer won 7-6, 3-6, 7-5 in 2 hours and 26 minutes. It was Federer’s first match since losing the Australian Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in January last year. It was Federer’s fourth win over Evans in as many matches. Both players have been training partners in the last few weeks. Federer, 39, fired 13 aces while Evans produced 9. Top seed Dominic Thiem of Austria on Wednesday battled from a set down to beat Aslan Karatsev of Russia. Thiem, the current US Open champion, won 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 in almost two hours of feisty tennis. It was the first meeting between the two players. Thiem, playing his 24th event as a top seed, is looking to add to his 17 career titles and better his semifinal performance in Doha in 2018. Also on Wednesday, defending champion Andrey Rublev also reached the quarterfinals of the popular tournament when his opponent and former winner Richard Gasquet of France pulled out of the clash with a leg injury. Gasquet, 34, won the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in 2013. Rublev, 23, last year won the Qatar title without dropping a set. In a match involving two Canadians, fourth seed Denis Shapovalov on Wednesday showed grit in the first set to beat Vasek Pospisil in straights sets. Shapovalov won 7-5, 6-4 in 1 hour and 45 minutes. Shapovalov fired 7 aces in the battling contest between two Canadians. Shapovalov is now 2-1 against Pospisil in career meetings. Another former Qatar champion, Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain also reached the quarterfinals by beating Alexander Bublik in straight sets. Bautista Agut, winner in 2019, won 6-4, 6-3 to reach the last-eight of the tournament. In an entertaining match, American Taylor Fritz on Wednesday beat Belgium’s David Goffin 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 in 2 hours and 37 minutes. Both players are now tied at 1-1 in career meetings.  

Thomas Bach re-elected as IOC President for a second term

Lausanne- Olympic champion Thomas Bach has been re-elected for a further four-year term as President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). At the 137 th IOC Session held remotely today, the 67-year-old German obtained 93 "yes" and 1 "no" out of 94 valid votes.

Qatar ExxonMobil Open gets underway

Doha-The iconic Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex on Monday kicked off yet another week of exciting tennis when players took to the Centre Court for Round 1 of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. Former champions Richard Gasquet of France and Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain on Monday started their Qatar ExxonMobil Open campaigns with wins and reached the Round of 16.  Gasquet, winner in Doha in 2013, on Monday beat Blaz Rola of Slovenia in straight sets for his opening win. Ranked 50, Gasquet won 6-4, 6-4 in 1 hour and 16 minutes. It was the first meeting between the two players but Gasquet’s exhibited a solid game to emerge winner. Gasquet is the only French player with more than 500 career wins. Gasquest will now meet defending champion Andrey Rublev of Russia in the next round. Also on Monday, wild card entry Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan beat Indian qualifier Ramkumar Ramanathan in straight sets to reach the Round of 16 at the six-day tournament. Playing controlled tennis from the baseline, Bublik – ranked 44 – won 6-4, 6-2 in 1 hour and 13 minutes. Bublik, 23, fired 7 aces in his impressive win. It was the first meeting between the two players. Bublik lost in the second round in Doha last year. Bublik beat Alexander Zverev in Rotterdam last week. In Round of 16, Bublik will meet fifth seed and world number 13 Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut who survived a mid-match crisis to beat Reilly Opelka of the United States in three sets. Bautista, the 2019 Doha champion, won 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 on Centre Court despite Opelka’s 22 aces. It was the Spaniard’s second win over the American in in three career meetings.  The day started with two wild card entries – Qatar’s Mubarak Shannan Zayid and Russia’s Aslan Karatsev. After an engaging battle in the first set, Karatsev won 6-4, 6-0 in 1 hour and 5 minutes. Karatsev will now meet top seed Dominic Thiem of Austria in the Round of 16.